Storm Austen is named as the first storm of the season and will batter southern England with 70mph gusts
A Met Office yellow wind warning is in place for south Wales, south-west England and the south coast as far east as Brighton, running from midnight until midday on Friday. Deputy chief forecaster Tom Crabtree warned of 'an impactful period of weather' and 'the potential for disruption'. Buildings could be damaged, power cuts are expected and travel disruption is likely. Families planning half-term trips to the coast face a washout.
Gusts of 50-60mph are expected widely, with heavy rain arriving from Thursday night.
Another deep low will bring more wind and rain on Saturday, after Austen moves away.
Householders are advised to bring in or tie down bins, trampolines and garden furniture ahead of Friday.
More
The GuardianStorm Austen forecast to hit southern UKEvening StandardFirst named storm of the season to bring strong winds to parts of UKDaily MailStorm Austen to bring October half-term washout: First named storm of the season to batter drought-hit England with 70mph winds and heavy rainBBC NewsStorm Austen to bring severe gales to UK as weather warning issuedLBCFirst named storm of the season due to batter Britain next weekThe SunBritain's first storm of the season named with 70mph winds & heavy rain to batter UK in days as yellow warning issuedThe IndependentStorm Austen: First named storm of season to hit UK this week threatening 70mph windsEvening StandardWhen will first storm of season hit London? Capital facing 45mph winds and heavy rainLBCBrits urged to secure bins, trampolines and garden furniture as winds of up to 70mph set to batter parts of UKThe HeraldStorm Austen to batter UK this week with heavy wind and rain - how it was namedIrish TimesStorm Austen: rain warning issued for ThursdayIrish IndependentStorm Austen to batter Ireland with strong winds and heavy rain later this week
